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HI HB443
Bill
Status
1/23/2023
Primary Sponsor
Amy Perruso
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AI Summary
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Establishes a healthy soils program within the department of agriculture that includes soil assessment and education, technical assistance to farmers, grants administration, and management of existing financial incentive programs.
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Requires the department to conduct baseline soil health assessments measuring organic matter, water infiltration rate, microbiology, aggregate stability, phospholipids, and soil cover through technical assistance providers.
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Authorizes the department to award grants to eligible entities for technical assistance and to eligible farmers and land managers as financial assistance for implementing soil health practices, with priority consideration for young producers, veterans, small farms, and disadvantaged communities.
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Appropriates $500,000 for fiscal year 2023-2024 and $500,000 for fiscal year 2024-2025 to establish the program and issue grants and financial incentives.
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Requires the department to submit annual reports to the legislature detailing program status, grants awarded, soil health practices implemented, benefits achieved, and any legislative recommendations.
Legislative Description
Relating To Agriculture.
Appropriation ($)
Last Action
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Marten excused (1).
2/17/2023